Heat treatment apparatus

Abstract

A heat treatment apparatus for performing heat treatment of treatment objects inside a cylindrical body by heating the cylindrical body and rotating the cylindrical body around an axis, includes a pair of movable support parts provided on opposite ends of the cylindrical body along the axis of the cylindrical body so as to be able to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis, and a fixed support part provided between the pair of the movable support parts along the axis so as to be unable to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis. The cylindrical body is supported by a three-point support of the pair by the movable support parts and the fixed support part.

Claims

1. A heat treatment apparatus comprising: a cylindrical body which is configured by two cylindrical members connected so that treatment objects are capable of being transferred along an axis of the cylindrical body and wherein the cylindrical body is configured to receive treatment objects to be subjected to heat treatment, rotate around the axis and be heated, a pair of movable support parts provided on opposite ends of the cylindrical body along the axis of the cylindrical body so as to be able to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis during operation of the apparatus; and a fixed support part provided between the pair of the movable support parts along the axis so as to be unable to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis at a connecting part of the two cylindrical members during operation of the apparatus, wherein the cylindrical body is supported by a three-point support formed by the pair of the movable support parts and the fixed support part, wherein each of the two cylindrical members comprises: a main body which has a first constant diameter, a minor diameter portion which has a second constant diameter smaller than the first constant diameter, and a conical portion which is provided between the main body and the minor diameter portion in which a diameter of the conical portion is gradually reduced from the main body toward the minor diameter portion, wherein the connecting part of the two cylindrical members is configured to connect the two cylindrical members such that the minor diameter portion of each of the two cylindrical members overlap, wherein the cylindrical body includes an outer shell which covers the minor diameter portion and the conical portion of the two cylindrical members at the connecting part of the two cylindrical members, wherein a heat insulation part suppressing heat transfer from an inside of the two cylindrical members to an outside of the outer shell is provided between the two cylindrical members and the outer shell at the connecting part of the two cylindrical members, and wherein at least part of the heat insulation part is disposed along the axis and has a stretchable portion configured to be able to stretch along the axis.

2. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable support parts and the fixed support part rotatably support the cylindrical body with a bearing mechanism.

3. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulation part is configured by at least two heat insulation members fixed to each of the cylindrical members.

4. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an external heating furnace.

5. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus is an external heating furnace.

6. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is an external heating furnace.

7. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each movable support part is provided with a pair of movable supports and a support main body having a circular hole, lower ends of the pair of movable supports are pivotally supported at a base on which the cylindrical body is disposed, and an upper end of a first movable support of the pair of the movable support is pivotally supported at a first part of the support main body, an upper end of a second movable support of the pair of movable supports is pivotally supported at a second part of the support main body, and the first part of the support main body and the second part of the support main body are provided at opposite ends of the cylindrical body with respect to a diameter of the cylindrical body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a heat treatment apparatus (external heating rotary kiln) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion S1 in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a portion S2 in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion S3 in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a movable support of the heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a fixed support of the heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(7) Hereinafter, FIGS. 1 to 6 are referred to and a heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is explained. In addition, the present embodiment is explained by which the heat treatment apparatus of the present invention represents an external heating rotary kiln (an external heating furnace or an external heating carbonization furnace) for which treatment objects, which are low calorie materials such as a sewage sludge, a woody biomass, and low grade coal, are subjected to heat treatment and are reformed to carbide having a large calorific value.

(8) The external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with an inner cylinder (cylindrical body) 1, outer cylinders (muffle) 2, 3, two movable support parts 4, 5, a fixed support part 6, and a base 7.

(9) The inner cylinder 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a cylindrical body having a cylindrical shape in a large size which is approximately 50 m of length L along an axis O1, and with respect to a boundary in the center of the inner cylinder 1 along the axis O1, the inner cylinder 1 is configured by a first cylindrical member 10 provided at one side of the boundary and a second cylindrical member 11 provided at the other side of the boundary. These first and second cylindrical members 10, 11 are the inner cylinders provided in the conventional external heating rotary kiln which has a length of approximately 20 to 30 m and a diameter of approximately 5 m in which the length and the diameter are compatible in structure and in heat transfer performance of the inner cylinder 1. The inner cylinder 1 of the present embodiment is formed by connecting in series two cylindrical members which are the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11 and which are similar to the conventional inner cylinder. That is, the inner cylinder 1 of the present embodiment is provided with two cylindrical members 10, 11 so that the inner cylinder 1 is separated into two sections along the axis O1. Here, the inner cylinder 1 has a plurality of fins or spirals at the inside thereof which are arranged so as to incline with respect to a circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 1, rotates around the axis O1, and is formed so that the treatment objects fed inside the inner cylinder 1 from an inlet port 1a can be sequentially transferred toward an outlet port 1b.

(10) In addition, the first cylindrical member 10 is provided with a first cylindrical main body 12, a first conical portion 13, a first minor diameter portion 14, a second conical portion 15, and a second minor diameter portion 16. The first cylindrical main body 12 is formed along the axis O1 and in a substantially constant diameter of, for example, approximately 5 m. The first conical portion 13 is formed at one end of the first cylindrical main body 12 disposed at the inlet port 1a side of the inner cylinder 1 so that the diameter of the first conical portion 13 is gradually reduced from the one end of the first cylindrical main body 12 toward the inlet port 1a. The first minor diameter portion 14 is formed in a substantially constant diameter at an end of the first conical portion 13 on the inlet port 1a side. The second conical portion 15 is formed at the other end of the first cylindrical main body 12 so that the diameter of the second conical portion 15 is gradually reduced from the other end of the first cylindrical main body 12 toward the second cylindrical member 11. The second minor diameter portion 16 is formed with a substantially constant diameter with respect to the axis O1 at an end of the second conical portion 15 on the second cylindrical member 11 side.

(11) The first cylindrical member 10 is provided with a first outer shell 17 having a cylindrical shape, and a first blocking plate 18 having an annular shape. The first cylindrical member 10 is formed at the same diameter as the first cylindrical main body 12, and extends toward the inlet port 1a side from the one end of the first cylindrical main body 12 so that the first cylindrical member 10 covers the first conical portion 13. The first blocking plate 18 is provided so as to block an opening of the first outer shell 17 on the inlet port 1a side. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing an enlarged view of a portion S1 in FIG. 1, a heat insulation member (heat insulation material) 19 is provided inside a space surrounded by the first outer shell 17, the first conical portion 13, and the first blocking plate 18. In addition, in the present embodiment, this heat insulation member 19 is provided so as to cover an outer circumferential surface of the first conical portion 13.

(12) The first cylindrical member 10 is provided with a second outer shell 20 having a cylindrical shape, and a flange 21 having an annular shape. The second outer shell 20 is formed at the same diameter as the first cylindrical main body 12, and extends toward the second cylindrical member 11 side from the other end of the first cylindrical main body 12 so that the second outer shell 20 covers the second conical portion 15 and the second minor diameter portion 16. The flange 21 is projected to the outside in a radial direction at an end of the second outer shell 20 on the second cylindrical member 11 side, and extends in a circumferential direction of the second outer shell 20.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, the second cylindrical member 11 is provided with a second cylindrical main body 25, a third conical portion 26, a third minor diameter portion 27, a fourth conical portion 28, and a fourth minor diameter portion 29. The second cylindrical main body 25 is formed along the axis O1 and in a substantially constant diameter of, for example, approximately 5 m. The third conical portion 26 is formed at one end of the second cylindrical main body 25 disposed at the outlet port 1b side of the inner cylinder 1 so that the diameter of the second conical portion 26 is gradually reduced from the one end of the second cylindrical main body 25 toward the outlet port 1b. The third minor diameter portion 27 is formed in a substantially constant diameter at an end of the third conical portion 26 on the outlet port 1b side. The fourth conical portion 28 is formed at the other end of the second cylindrical main body 25 so that the diameter of the fourth conical portion 28 is gradually reduced from the other end of the second cylindrical main body 25 toward the first cylindrical member 10. The fourth minor diameter portion 29 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with respect to the axis O1 at an end of the fourth conical portion 28 on the first cylindrical member 10 side.

(14) In addition, the fourth minor diameter portion 29, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 showing an enlarged view of a portion S2 in FIG. 1, is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a wavy shape, and this wavy shape part is a stretchable portion 30 which can stretch along the axis O1 of the inner cylinder 1. Furthermore, a connection flange 31 having an annular shape is projected to the outside in a radial direction at an end of the fourth minor diameter portion 29 on the first cylindrical member 10 side, and extends in a circumferential direction of the fourth minor diameter portion 29.

(15) In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 showing an enlarged view of a portion S3 in FIG. 1, the second cylindrical member 11 is provided with a third outer shell 32 having a cylindrical shape, and a second blocking plate 33 having an annular shape. The third outer shell 32 is formed at the same diameter as the second cylindrical main body 25, and extends toward the outlet port 1b side from the one end of the second cylindrical main body 25 so that the third outer shell 32 covers the third conical portion 26. The second blocking plate 33 is provided so as to block an opening of the third outer shell 32 on the outlet port 1b side. A heat insulation member (heat insulation material) 34 is provided inside a space surrounded by the third outer shell 32, the third conical portion 26, and the second blocking plate 33. In addition, in the present embodiment, this heat insulation member 34 is provided so as to cover an outer circumferential surface of the third conical portion 26.

(16) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 showing an enlarged view of a portion S2 in FIG. 1, the second cylindrical member 11 is provided with a fourth outer shell 35 having a cylindrical shape, and a flange 36 having an annular shape. The fourth outer shell 35 is formed at the same diameter as the second cylindrical main body 25, and extends toward the first cylindrical member 10 side from the other end of the second cylindrical main body 25 so that the fourth outer shell 35 covers the fourth conical portion 28. The flange 36 is projected to the outside in the radial direction at an end of the fourth outer shell 35 on the first cylindrical member 10 side, and extends in a circumferential direction of the fourth outer shell 35.

(17) The flange 21 of the second outer shell 20 formed at the other end side of the first cylindrical member 10 abuts on the flange 36 of the fourth outer shell 35 formed at the other end side of the second cylindrical member 11, and the flanges 21 and 36 are connected to each other by a double-ended bolt 37, or the like. Thus, the inner cylinder 1 of the present embodiment is formed by arranging each of axes O1 of the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11 on the same axis, and by connecting the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11 in series. In addition, the present embodiment shows that, the flanges 21 and 36 of the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11 are connected to each other by the double-ended bolt 37, however, the flanges 21 and 36 of the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11 can be connected to each other by welding, for example.

(18) In this case, the second minor diameter portion 16 of the first cylindrical member 10 is inserted into the fourth minor diameter portion 29 having a wavy shape of the second cylindrical member 11, and in a state in which the second minor diameter portion 16 and the fourth minor diameter portion 29 are overlapped along the axis O1, the inner cylinder 1 is formed. Furthermore, the second minor diameter portion 16 is connected to the fourth minor diameter portion 29 via a connection flange 31 formed at an edge of the fourth minor diameter portion 29.

(19) In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 showing an enlarged view of a portion S2 in FIG. 1, in the inner cylinder 1 of the present embodiment formed as above, the part formed by the second conical portion 15, the second minor diameter portion 16, and the second outer shell 20 of the first cylindrical member 10; and by the fourth conical portion 28, the fourth minor diameter portion 29, and the fourth outer shell 35 of the second cylindrical member 11 is a connecting part 40 of the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11. In addition, in an inner surface of the inner cylinder 1, a heat insulation member 41 is provided in a region in which the fixed support 6, details thereof are described later, is provided so as to cover an outer surface of the second conical portion 15 and the second minor diameter portion 16. Furthermore, a heat insulation member 42 covering an outer surface of the fourth conical portion 28 and the fourth minor diameter portion 29 is provided, and this part is a heat insulation part 43 suppressing heat transfer from an inside of the inner cylinder 1 to an outside thereof. That is, the heat insulation part 43 of the present embodiment has the stretchable portion 30, which is configured to be able to stretch in at least a part thereof along the axis O1 of the inner cylinder 1, and has at least two heat insulation members 41, 42 fixed to each of the cylindrical members 10, 11.

(20) In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment is provided with a first outer cylinder 2 and a second outer cylinder 3 (outer cylinders) in which the first cylindrical main body 12 of the first cylindrical member 10 of the inner cylinder 1 is covered by the first outer cylinder 2, and the second cylindrical main body 25 of the second cylindrical member 11 of the inner cylinder 1 is covered by the second outer cylinder 3. The first cylindrical member 10 is heated by causing a heat gas to flow between the first outer cylinder 2 and the first cylindrical main body 12, and the second cylindrical member 11 is heated by causing a heat gas to flow between the second outer cylinder 3 and the second cylindrical main body 25.

(21) Furthermore, in the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinders 2, 3 are disposed on a base 7 by being inclined with a gradient of 1 to 3% so that the outlet port 1b side is lower than the inlet port 1a side with respect to the horizontal. In addition, in the inner cylinder 1 (and the outer cylinders 2, 3) disposed as above, the first minor diameter portion 14 of the inlet port 1a side where the treatment objects are supplied is supported by a first movable support part 4, the third minor diameter portion 27 of the outlet port 1b where the treatment objects after heat treatment are discharged is supported by a second movable support part 5, and the connecting part 40 (heat insulation part 43) is supported by the fixed support part 6. That is, the inner cylinder 1 of the present embodiment is supported by a three-point support of a first movable support part 4, a second movable support part 5, and the fixed support part 6, and disposed at a predetermined position.

(22) The first movable support part 4 and the second movable support part 5, as shown in FIG. 5 (also refer to FIGS. 1, 2, 4), are provided with a pair of movable supports 45, 46 and a support main body 47. The movable supports 45, 46 are installed on the base 7. The lower ends of the movable supports 45, 46 are pivotally supported to the base 7. In the support main body 47, a circular hole in which the first minor diameter portion 14 of the inner cylinder 1 or the third minor diameter portion 27 is inserted is formed so as to penetrate along the axis O1. The upper ends of each of the movable supports 45, 46 pivotally support two side parts, which are spaced away from each other in the radial direction of the inner cylinder 1 of the support main body 47.

(23) In this case, the lower ends of the pair of the movable supports 45, 46 are connected rotatably to the base 7 via a hinge 48, and the upper ends of the pair of the movable supports 45, 46 are connected rotatably to the support main body 47 via a hinge 49. Thus, when the inner cylinder 1 stretches along the axis O1 the support main body 47 supporting the inner cylinder 1 rotates at each of hinges 48, 49, and by moving (displacing) along the axis O1 according to the stretch of the inner cylinder 1, thermal expansion of the inner cylinder 1 caused by heating can be absorbed.

(24) In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a bearing mechanism 50 provided on the support main body 47 and arranged in an annular shape centered to the axis O1 of the insertion hole is provided to the movable support part 4 and the movable support part 5. The first minor diameter portion 14 or the third minor diameter portion 27 of the inner cylinder 1 inserted into the insertion hole is supported by the support main body 47 via this bearing mechanism 50. Thus, the movable support part 4 and the movable support part 5 support the inner cylinder 1 rotatably around the axis O1.

(25) Furthermore, at least one of the movable support part 4 and the movable support part 5 is provided with a rotation driving mechanism (not shown) for rotary driving the inner cylinder 1 around the axis O1. For example, this rotation driving mechanism includes a gear, which is provided to at least one of the first minor diameter portion 14 and the third minor diameter portion 27, a driving motor, and a gear wheel, which is installed to a rotation shaft of the driving motor and is engaged to the gear. Also, the rotation driving mechanism is configured to rotate the inner cylinder 1 around the axis O1 by the driving of the driving motor and the rotation of the gear wheel.

(26) In addition, a feeding device (not shown) such as a screw conveyer for feeding the treatment objects into the inner cylinder 1 is connected to one movable support part 4, and a discharging device (not shown) such as a chute discharging the treatment objects, which were subjected to heat treatment, is connected to the other movable support part 5. In addition, at a connection part connecting the movable support part 4 and the feed device, an expansion joint (not shown) absorbing the displacement along the axis O1 of the movable support part 4 is provided.

(27) The fixed support part 6, as shown in FIG. 6 (with referring FIG. 1 and FIG. 3), is provided with a pair of fixed supports 51, 52, which are installed on the base 7, and a support main body 53, which is formed so that the insertion hole in a circular shape passing through the connecting part 40 of the inner cylinder 1 penetrates from one surface to the other surface, and which is supported so as to be unable to move along the axis O1 by connecting the pair of the fixed supports 51, 52 to two side parts of the support main body 53. Furthermore, in the support main body 53, the bearing mechanism 50 arranged in an annular shape centered to the axis O1 of the insertion hole is provided, by supporting the connecting part 40 of the inner cylinder 1 inserted into the insertion hole from outside thereof via the bearing mechanism 50, the substantially middle part along the axis O1 of the inner cylinder 1 is supported so as to be unable to move along the axis O1, and is rotatably supported around the axis O1.

(28) In the external heating rotary kiln (heat treatment device) A, when treatment objects which are low calorie materials such as a sewage sludge, a woody biomass and low grade coal are subjected to heat treatment and are reformed to carbide having a large calorific value, the inner cylinder 1 is heated, for example, at 300 to 800 C. by causing a heating gas to flow between the first outer cylinder 2 and the first cylindrical main body 12, and between the second outer cylinder 3 and the second cylindrical main body 25. In addition, when the rotation driving mechanism is driven, the inner cylinder 1, which is supported by the a three-point support of the pair of the movable support parts 4, 5 and the fixed support part 6, rotates around the axis O1 by the bearing mechanism 50. With this, the treatment objects is fed inside the first cylindrical member 10 of the inner cylinder 1 from the inlet port 1a by the feeding device, this treatment objects is subjected to heat treatment while sequentially transferring these treatment objects to the second cylindrical member 11 from the first cylindrical member 10, the treatment objects after treatment are discharged to the discharging device and further to the outside from the outlet port 1b, and carbide having a large calorific value is produced.

(29) When the treatment objects are subjected to heat treatment as above, thermal expansion is occurred to the inner cylinder 1 by heated at a high temperature of, for example, 300 to 800 C. In the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, the both ends of the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the movable support parts 4, 5, the middle part of the inner cylinder 1 between a pair of the movable support parts 4, 5 along the axis O1 is supported by the fixed support part 6, and the inner cylinder 1 is supported by a three-point support. Thus, heat expansion that occurs to the first cylindrical member 10 between the one movable support 4 and the fixed support part 6 can be absorbed by the one movable support part 4, and heat expansion that occurs to the second cylindrical member 11 between the other movable support part 5 and the fixed support part 6 can be absorbed by the other movable support part 5.

(30) In addition, in the present embodiment, thermal expansion is absorbed by the movable support parts 4, 5 located at the both ends along the axis O1 of the inner cylinder 1, and further, thermal expansion of the inner cylinder 1 is absorbed by the stretchable part 30 having wavy shape of the heat insulation part 43.

(31) Furthermore, by providing the fixed support part 6 in between the movable support parts 4, 5 of the both ends of the inner cylinder 1, the first cylindrical member 10 of one side of the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the fixed support part 6 and the one movable support part 4, the second cylindrical member 11 of the other side of the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the fixed support part 6 and the other movable support part 5, and the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the three-point support. Thus, even if the length of the inner cylinder 1 is increased in size to approximately 50 m, the amount of bending occurred to the inner cylinder 1 is suppressed to a small amount compared with the two-point support, which supports the inner cylinder 1 at both sides along the axis O1.

(32) Thus, two cylindrical members 10, 11 (an inner cylinder of the conventional external heating rotary kiln) having a length of approximately 20 to 30 m and a diameter of approximately 5 m in which the length and the diameter are compatible in structure and in heat transfer performance of the inner cylinder 1 are connected in series, the connecting part 40 is supported by the fixed support part 6, and both ends of the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the movable support parts 4, 5. Accordingly, even if the inner cylinder 1 is increased in size, the amount of thermal expansion and the amount of bending can be suppressed to a similar extent to the conventional amount. In addition, when the inner cylinder 1 is formed by metals such as austenite or SUS (stainless steel in JIS standard), the amount of thermal expansion and the amount of bending can be surely suppressed to a similar extent to the conventional amount. Also, when the inner cylinder 1 is formed by using alloys such as INCOLOY which causes a large thermal expansion in particular, the amount of thermal expansion and the amount of bending can be reliably suppressed to a similar extent to the conventional amount.

(33) In addition, in the inner surface of the inner cylinder 1, a heat insulation part 43 (heat insulation members 41, 42) suppressing heat transfer from the inside of the inner cylinder 1 to the outside thereof is provided in a region in which the fixed support part 6 is provided. In the present embodiment, by this heat insulation part 43, the outer surface temperature of the second outer shell 20 and the fourth outer shell 35 of the connecting part 40 of the inner cylinder 1 is maintained at a low temperature of, for example, approximately 200 C. Thus, the fixed support part 6, which supports the second outer shell 20 and the fourth outer shell 35 of the connecting part 40 (heat insulation part 43), is not affected by heat transfer, and as this result, the middle part of the inner cylinder 1 can be reliably supported by the fixed support part 6 so as to be unable to move along the axis O1 and so that the inner cylinder 1 is rotatable around the axis O1.

(34) Furthermore, by providing the heat insulation part 43, a lowering of temperature of the inside of the connecting part 40, which supports the inner cylinder 1 by the fixed support part 6, can be minimized. Thus, in the inside of the connecting part 40 of the inner cylinder 1, there is no possibility of a quality loss caused by a lowering of temperature of the treatment objects, and occurrence of problems such as condensation of tar can be reliably prevented.

(35) Therefore, in the external heating rotary kiln (heat treatment apparatus) A of the present embodiment, both ends of the inner cylinder (cylindrical body) 1 are supported by each of the movable support parts 4, 5, the middle part of the inner cylinder 1 which is between the pair of the movable support parts 4, 5 along the axis O1 is supported by the fixed support 6, and the inner cylinder 1 is supported by a three-point support mechanism. Accordingly, heat expansion of the inner cylinder 1 occurred between one movable support part 4 and the fixed support 6 can be absorbed by the one movable support part 4, and heat expansion of the inner cylinder 1 occurred between the other movable support part 5 and the fixed support part 6 can be absorbed by the other movable support part 5.

(36) In addition, by providing the fixed support part 6 in between the movable support parts 4, 5 of the both ends of the inner cylinder 1, one side of the inner cylinder 1 can be supported by the fixed support part 6 and the one movable support part 4, the other side of the inner cylinder 1 can be supported by the fixed support part 6 and the other movable support part 5. Thus, compared with a case of a two-point support, which supports the inner cylinder 1 at both sides along the axis O1, the present invention can suppress the amount of bending that occurs to the inner cylinder 1 to a small amount.

(37) According to the above, for example, two cylindrical members 10, 11 having a length of approximately 20 to 30 m and a diameter of approximately 5 m in which the length and the diameter are compatible in structure and in heat transfer performance of the inner cylinder 1 are connected in series, the connecting part 40 is supported by the fixed support part 6, and both ends of the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the movable support parts 4, 5. Accordingly, even if the inner cylinder 1 is increased in size, the amount of thermal expansion and the amount of bending can be suppressed to a similar extent to the conventional amount. Thus, without changing the thickness of the inner cylinder 1 and without loss of sealing properties, that is, without leading to a decrease in heat transfer performance, the inner cylinder 1 can realize an increase in size.

(38) In addition, according to the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 1 is supported by a three-point support of the pair of the movable support parts 4, 5 and the fixed support part 6, and the present invention solves problems in structure and in heat transfer performance and can realize an increase in size. Thus, the external heating carbonization furnace, or the like, reforming a low-calorie materials of the treatment-objects to carbide having a large calorific value increases an amount of treatment of the treatment objects, can improve the production rate, and can correspond to the needs of large-scale use, such as in coal-fired power plants.

(39) In addition, in the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, the movable support parts 4, 5 and the fixed support part 6 rotatably support the inner cylinder 1 by the bearing mechanism 50, thereby, by the movable support parts 4, 5 and the fixed support part 6, the influence of heat transfer can be reduced and the inner cylinder 1 can be rotatably supported around the axis O1 reliably.

(40) Furthermore, in the inner surface of the inner cylinder 1, a heat insulation part 43 suppressing heat transfer from the inside of the inner cylinder 1 to the outside thereof is provided in a region in which the fixed support part 6 is provided, thereby the temperature of the outer surface of the inner cylinder 1 can be maintained at a low temperature. Thus, without being affected by the heat transfer, the inner cylinder 1 can be reliably supported by the fixed support part 6.

(41) In addition, however, even if the middle part along the axis O1 of the inner cylinder 1 is supported by the fixed support part 6, by providing the heat insulation part 43, a lowering of temperature of the inside of the inner cylinder 1 at the part, which supports the inner cylinder 1 by the fixed support part 6, can be minimized. Thus, a quality loss of the treatment objects inside the inner cylinder 1 can be suppressed. In addition, a lowering of temperature of the inside of the inner cylinder 1 at the part, which supports the inner cylinder 1 by the fixed support part 6, is suppressed, and thereby a condensation of tar can be prevented and a trouble caused by the lowering of temperature can be reliably avoided.

(42) In addition, the heat insulation part 43 has the stretchable portion 30 which is configured to be able to stretch along the axis O1 in at least part of the heat insulation part 43 along the axis O1, thereby thermal expansion can be absorbed by the movable support parts 4, 5 provided at both ends along the axis O1 of the inner cylinder 1, and thermal expansion of the inner cylinder 1 can be absorbed by the stretchable portion 30 of the heat insulation part 43. Thus, thermal expansion of the inner cylinder 1 can be absorbed more reliably and effectively, and the amount of bending that occurs in the inner cylinder 1 can be suppressed to a small amount.

(43) Furthermore, in the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 1 is configured by two cylindrical members 10, 11 separated into two sections along the axis O1, and the heat insulation part 43 is configured by at least two heat insulation members 41, 42 fixed to each of the cylindrical members 10, 11. Thus, two inner cylinders (cylindrical members 10, 11) of a conventional rotary kiln having a length of approximately 20 to 30 m and a diameter of approximately 5 m in which the length and the diameter are compatible in structure and in heat transfer performance of the inner cylinder 1 are connected in series, and the inner cylinder 1 can be increased in size easily and economically.

(44) In addition, in the external heating rotary kiln A of the present embodiment, the structure inside the connecting part 40 of the first cylindrical member 10 and the second cylindrical member 11 is formed in conical shape, and thereby the heat insulation members 41, 42 can be easily installed in the inside of the second outer shell 20 and the fourth outer shell 35, and even if the fixed support part 6 is provided to the connecting part 40, a quality loss of the treatment objects inside the inner cylinder 1 can be reliably suppressed to a minimum. In addition, the inner cylinder 1 can be easily and economically increased in size by connecting the inner cylinders of a conventional rotary kiln including such conical portions 15, 28 as the cylindrical members 10, 11.

(45) One embodiment of the heat treatment apparatus according to the present invention was explained as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above described embodiment, but changes can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

(46) For example, the present embodiment explained that the heat treatment apparatus A is an external heating carbonization furnace; however, the heat treatment apparatus of the present invention is not limited to an external heating carbonization furnace in particular, if the treatment objects of the inside of the cylindrical body 1 can be subjected to heat treatment by heating the cylindrical body 1 rotating around the axis O1. That is, by heating this kind of the cylindrical body 1 rotating around the axis O1, if the apparatus performs heat treatment of the treatment objects inside the cylindrical body 1, the present invention can be applied to, and the same effects and operation as the present embodiment can be obtained.

(47) In addition, in a case where the heat treatment apparatus A is an external heating rotary kiln as the present embodiment, the present embodiment is provided with the outer cylinders 2, 3 covering the inner cylinder (cylindrical member) 1, and the inner cylinder 1 is heated by causing a heating gas to flow between the outer cylinders 2, 3 and the inner cylinder 1. However, for example, the inner cylinder 1 can be heated by an electric heater such as a heating wire, and the method of heating the cylindrical body of the present invention is not required to be limited to the method of the present embodiment.

(48) Furthermore, in the heat treatment apparatus of the present embodiment, the connecting part 40 (heat insulation part 43) is provided with the second conical portion 15, the second minor diameter portion 16, the second outer shell 20, the fourth conical portion 28, the fourth minor diameter portion 29, and the fourth outer shell 35. The second conical portion 15 is formed at the other end of the first cylindrical main body 12 so that the diameter of the second conical portion 15 is gradually reduced from the other end of the first cylindrical main body 12 toward the outer cylinder 3. The second minor diameter portion 16 is formed in a substantially constant diameter with respect to the axis O1 at an end of the second conical portion 15 on the outer cylinder 3 side. The second outer shell 20 is formed to the same diameter as the first cylindrical main body 12, and is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis O1 toward the outer cylinder 3 from the other end of the first cylindrical main body 12 so as to cover the second conical portion 15 and the second minor diameter portion 16. The fourth conical portion 28 is formed at the other end of the second cylindrical main body 25 so that the diameter of the fourth conical portion 28 is gradually reduced from the other end of the second cylindrical main body 25 toward the outer cylinder 2. The fourth minor diameter portion 29 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the axis O1 from the fourth conical portion 28 toward the outer cylinder 2 at the end of the fourth conical portion 28 on the outer cylinder 2 side. The fourth outer shell 35 is formed with the same diameter as the second cylindrical main body 25, and is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis O1 toward the outer cylinder 2 from the other end of the second cylindrical main body 25 so as to cover the fourth conical portion 28.

(49) However, for example, the connection part 40 (heat insulation part 43) can be configured in such a manner that the second conical portion 15, the second minor diameter portion 16, the fourth conical portion 28, and the fourth minor diameter portion 29 of the present embodiment are formed to the same diameter as the first cylindrical main body 12 and the second cylindrical main body 25, the second outer shell 20 and the fourth outer shell 35 are formed so that the diameters thereof are gradually increased toward the outside of the inner cylinder along the axis, the heat insulation members 41, 42 are provided inside the connection part 40, and the fixed support part 6 supports the second outer shell 20 and the fourth outer shell 35 from outside.

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

(50) According to the heat treatment apparatus of the present invention, both sides of the cylindrical body are supported by each of the movable support parts, the part of the cylindrical body which is between the pair of the movable support parts is supported by the fixed support part, and the cylindrical body is supported by a three-point support mechanism, thereby, by providing the fixed support part in between the two cylindrical bodies, thermal expansion of one side of the cylindrical body and the other side thereof can be absorbed by each of the movable support parts. In addition, compared with a case of a two-point support supporting the cylindrical body at both ends along the axis, the present invention can suppress the amount of bending occurred to the cylindrical body to a small amount. Thus, even if the cylindrical body is increased in size, an increase of the amount of thermal expansion and the amount of bending can be suppressed to a similar extent to the conventional amount, and without leading to the decrease in heat transfer performance, the cylindrical body can realize an increase in size.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(51) 1: inner cylinder (cylindrical body) 1a: inlet port 1b: outlet port 2: first outer cylinder (outer cylinder) 3: second outer cylinder (outer cylinder) 4: movable support part 5: movable support part 6: fixed support part 7: base 10: first cylindrical member (cylindrical member) 11: second cylindrical member (cylindrical member) 12: first cylindrical main body 13: first conical portion 14: first minor diameter portion 15: second conical portion 16: second minor diameter portion 17: first outer shell 18: first blocking plate 19: heat insulation member 20: second outer shell 21: flange 25: second cylindrical main body 26: third conical portion 27: third minor diameter portion 28: fourth conical portion 29: fourth minor diameter portion 30: stretchable portion 31: connection flange 32: third outer shell 33: second blocking plate 34: heat insulation member 35: fourth outer shell 36: flange 37: double-ended bolt 40: connecting portion 41: heat insulation member 42: heat insulation member 43: heat insulation part 45: movable support 46: movable support 47: support main body 48: hinge 49: hinge 50: bearing mechanism 51: fixed support 52: fixed support 53: support main body A: external heating rotary kiln (heat treatment apparatus) L: length of inner cylinder O1: axis